Thursday 5 July 2012 05.04 EDT
First published on Thursday 5 July 2012 05.04 EDT

Celtic's manager Neil Lennon has expressed delight over securing the goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a permanent deal for a reported £2m. The Scottish champions have confirmed Forster has signed a four-year contract.

Forster has spent the past two seasons on loan at Celtic Park from Newcastle United but the end of the long-running saga over his permanent transfer confirms the club's first summer signing.

Lennon told the club's website: "We believe he will be a magnificent addition to the squad. He gives us that continuity so this is something we are really pleased about. He is a top-class keeper."

Forster, 24, added: "This is a massive club and I feel like this is a step forward in my career. I want to win things as a team and improve as an individual and I think I will be able to do that at Celtic.

"It also gives me a great opportunity to play in the Champions League if we get through the qualifiers. I really enjoyed my time in Europe last season so I will be looking forward to it if it happens again. I enjoyed last season as a whole and we have a great young squad here."